Carter Aviation Technologies
Encyclopedia
Carter Aviation Technologies (also known as CarterCopters) is a privately held
aviation
research and development
company based in Wichita Falls, Texas
, United States
.
The main focus of the company is developing new technology and then licensing it to other manufacturers for use on production aircraft. Carter sees its role as predominantly that of research and development with the aim of then patenting the aviation technological advances it makes. The company is mainly known for making the CarterCopter
.
slowed rotor/compound (SR/C) aircraft series, the CarterCopter Propeller System and a landing gear system. According to Carter, the development of the propeller and landing gear was not strictly nescessary, and delayed the SR/C. The teetering blade hub principle used in Carter Wind Systems is also used in Carter aircraft.
On 17 June 2005 the company's sole flying technology demonstrator
crashed. The aircraft had been flying at 160 mph (257 km/h) when the drive pulley to the propeller drive-shaft bolts failed in flight, reversing propeller thrust. The aircraft was totally destroyed but both crew members were unharmed. The accident set the company's development back for ten months as a wingless replacement aircraft was not flown until April 2006, and a manned compound rotorcraft was not flown until 2011. Design of the subsequent aircraft, the Carter PAV
, was begun during 2005.
In 2007, the company modified their strategy from strictly R&D to also include limited production, as potential manufacturing customers were unfamiliar with the technology and would not commit to the large development effort of bringing the concept forward to a product.
CAT paid $20,000 per year in lobbying expenses in 2005 and 2006, but none in 2009 and 2010 to "monitor transportation, defense, budget, technology issues/appropriations".
In October 2009 the company announced it was forming two subsidiaries Carter Aerospace Development, to continue with the Research and Development, and Carter Air Vehicles to manufacture the products.
(a division
of Textron
) signed a 40-year exclusive license agreement with the company concerning all unmanned aircraft systems, one of which is intended to deliver 3000 pounds of cargo similar to the unmanned Kaman K-MAX, but over a future range of 1300 nautical miles compared to the demonstrated 150 nautical miles (277.8 km) or more of the K-MAX. AAI expects this cargo aircraft to fly in 2011. The agreement commits CarterCopters to developing the technology to maturity for 4 complete aircraft in 2011, in exchange for exclusive rights to develop UAVs for the next 40 years.
AAI intends to use this technology in two modified Shadow UAVs for flight in 2012, and as the basis for their proposal to DARPAs "Flying Humvee" Transformer
program, and DARPA selected this team for Phase 1 on 15 November 2010 lasting 15 months. If AAI proposes an unmanned casualty evacuation aircraft, it would also be based on Carter technology.
(WFEDC). The agreement provides Carter with a US$4M loan for use as operating capital to allow increased development activity and company expansion. The loan was provided at a zero-percent interest rate with a delayed re-payment period and also includes a forgiveness clause in exchange for new job creation of 300 manufacturing jobs. The total investment is $12million. According to the agreement, Wichita Falls will provide a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) building for CAT around the time of first flight. The $4m will be paid in 8 segments depending on milestone
s achieved (not nescessarily in order): PAV flight without wings, first firm order, PAV flight with wings, second firm order, flight tests of second PAV, hiring of a number of new employees (the agreement defines a successful flight as 30 minutes or more). Carter has received the first downpayment of a prototype, qualifying CAT for a loan payment from the city, and as of 31 August 2010, the amount paid by the WFEDC to CAT was $468,750. According to Jay Carter, these milestones are related to requirements from AAI. Carter also conformed that CAT has "been in business for 16 years and never sold a product".
First flight of the PAV occurred on 5 January 2011 and lasted 36 minutes, qualifying CAT for another milestone payment.
In June 2011, the company moved from its initial 3600 sq ft (334.5 m²) buildings to a 20000 sq ft (1,858.1 m²) facility with financial assistance from the City of Wichita Falls.
s and a rotor
for lift
. The wings support the aircraft when airspeed is high enough. "Slowed rotor" indicates that the rotor is then slowed down in high speed flight to reduce drag
.
The CarterCopter
Technology Demonstrator was the first aircraft to achieve μ-1 (Mu
-1) on June 17, 2005. μ-1 is "an aerodynamic limit defined by a forward speed and rotor rpm combination that results in advancing (moving into the relative wind) blade tips reaching speeds of twice that of the aircraft. At the same time, the retreating blade tips experience zero airspeed (as they rotate away from the relative wind) on the opposite side -- the entire inboard portion of the blade sees "reverse" air flow."
Limited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
company based in Wichita Falls, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The main focus of the company is developing new technology and then licensing it to other manufacturers for use on production aircraft. Carter sees its role as predominantly that of research and development with the aim of then patenting the aviation technological advances it makes. The company is mainly known for making the CarterCopter
CarterCopter
The CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 , an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and...
.
History
The company was founded in 1994 by Jay Carter Jr., two years after the partial sale of the wind turbine company Carter Wind Systems, now being run by his son Matt. The company is developing the CarterCopterCarterCopter
The CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 , an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and...
slowed rotor/compound (SR/C) aircraft series, the CarterCopter Propeller System and a landing gear system. According to Carter, the development of the propeller and landing gear was not strictly nescessary, and delayed the SR/C. The teetering blade hub principle used in Carter Wind Systems is also used in Carter aircraft.
On 17 June 2005 the company's sole flying technology demonstrator
CarterCopter
The CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 , an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and...
crashed. The aircraft had been flying at 160 mph (257 km/h) when the drive pulley to the propeller drive-shaft bolts failed in flight, reversing propeller thrust. The aircraft was totally destroyed but both crew members were unharmed. The accident set the company's development back for ten months as a wingless replacement aircraft was not flown until April 2006, and a manned compound rotorcraft was not flown until 2011. Design of the subsequent aircraft, the Carter PAV
Carter PAV
The Carter PAV is a two-bladed, compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. The design has an unpowered rotor mounted on top of the fuselage, wings like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft mounted underneath, and a controllable pitch pusher...
, was begun during 2005.
In 2007, the company modified their strategy from strictly R&D to also include limited production, as potential manufacturing customers were unfamiliar with the technology and would not commit to the large development effort of bringing the concept forward to a product.
CAT paid $20,000 per year in lobbying expenses in 2005 and 2006, but none in 2009 and 2010 to "monitor transportation, defense, budget, technology issues/appropriations".
In October 2009 the company announced it was forming two subsidiaries Carter Aerospace Development, to continue with the Research and Development, and Carter Air Vehicles to manufacture the products.
Agreement with Textron
On 16 November 2009 the AAI CorporationAAI Corporation
AAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. It is formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007 and currently is an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation...
(a division
Division (business)
A division of a business entity is a portion of that business that operates under a different name. It is the equivalent of a corporation or limited liability company obtaining a fictitious name or "doing business as" certificate and operating a business under that fictitious name...
of Textron
Textron
Textron is a conglomerate that includes Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others. It was founded by Royal Little in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company, and is headquartered at the Textron Tower in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.With total revenues of...
) signed a 40-year exclusive license agreement with the company concerning all unmanned aircraft systems, one of which is intended to deliver 3000 pounds of cargo similar to the unmanned Kaman K-MAX, but over a future range of 1300 nautical miles compared to the demonstrated 150 nautical miles (277.8 km) or more of the K-MAX. AAI expects this cargo aircraft to fly in 2011. The agreement commits CarterCopters to developing the technology to maturity for 4 complete aircraft in 2011, in exchange for exclusive rights to develop UAVs for the next 40 years.
AAI intends to use this technology in two modified Shadow UAVs for flight in 2012, and as the basis for their proposal to DARPAs "Flying Humvee" Transformer
Transformer (flying car)
The Transformer or TX is a 5-year, 3-phase flying car effort coordinated by DARPA for the United States Military.The objective of the Transformer program is to demonstrate a four person vehicle that provides enhanced logistics and mobility though hybrid flyable/roadable capabilities...
program, and DARPA selected this team for Phase 1 on 15 November 2010 lasting 15 months. If AAI proposes an unmanned casualty evacuation aircraft, it would also be based on Carter technology.
Agreement with Municipality
On 14 April 2010 Carter signed an agreement with the Wichita Falls Economic Development CorporationEconomic Development Corporation
An economic development corporation is an organization common in the United States, usually a 501 non-profit whose mission is to promote economic development within a specific geographical area. These organizations are similar to, and complementary to Chambers of Commerce.-For Further...
(WFEDC). The agreement provides Carter with a US$4M loan for use as operating capital to allow increased development activity and company expansion. The loan was provided at a zero-percent interest rate with a delayed re-payment period and also includes a forgiveness clause in exchange for new job creation of 300 manufacturing jobs. The total investment is $12million. According to the agreement, Wichita Falls will provide a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) building for CAT around the time of first flight. The $4m will be paid in 8 segments depending on milestone
Milestone
A milestone is one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road or boundary at intervals of one mile or occasionally, parts of a mile. They are typically located at the side of the road or in a median. They are alternatively known as mile markers, mileposts or mile posts...
s achieved (not nescessarily in order): PAV flight without wings, first firm order, PAV flight with wings, second firm order, flight tests of second PAV, hiring of a number of new employees (the agreement defines a successful flight as 30 minutes or more). Carter has received the first downpayment of a prototype, qualifying CAT for a loan payment from the city, and as of 31 August 2010, the amount paid by the WFEDC to CAT was $468,750. According to Jay Carter, these milestones are related to requirements from AAI. Carter also conformed that CAT has "been in business for 16 years and never sold a product".
First flight of the PAV occurred on 5 January 2011 and lasted 36 minutes, qualifying CAT for another milestone payment.
In June 2011, the company moved from its initial 3600 sq ft (334.5 m²) buildings to a 20000 sq ft (1,858.1 m²) facility with financial assistance from the City of Wichita Falls.
Technology
The primary technology of the company is the "Slowed Rotor/Compound" (SR/C) CarterCopter concept. A compound rotorcraft uses both wingWing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
s and a rotor
Helicopter rotor
A helicopter main rotor or rotor system is a type of fan that is used to generate both the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and thrust which counteracts aerodynamic drag in forward flight...
for lift
Lift (force)
A fluid flowing past the surface of a body exerts a surface force on it. Lift is the component of this force that is perpendicular to the oncoming flow direction. It contrasts with the drag force, which is the component of the surface force parallel to the flow direction...
. The wings support the aircraft when airspeed is high enough. "Slowed rotor" indicates that the rotor is then slowed down in high speed flight to reduce drag
Drag (physics)
In fluid dynamics, drag refers to forces which act on a solid object in the direction of the relative fluid flow velocity...
.
The CarterCopter
CarterCopter
The CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 , an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and...
Technology Demonstrator was the first aircraft to achieve μ-1 (Mu
Mu (letter)
Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award winning-Colombian singer, composer and actor.-Biography:...
-1) on June 17, 2005. μ-1 is "an aerodynamic limit defined by a forward speed and rotor rpm combination that results in advancing (moving into the relative wind) blade tips reaching speeds of twice that of the aircraft. At the same time, the retreating blade tips experience zero airspeed (as they rotate away from the relative wind) on the opposite side -- the entire inboard portion of the blade sees "reverse" air flow."
Aircraft
The company has not made products for sale. Two aircraft has been made or modified, while two are in development.- CarterCopterCarterCopterThe CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 , an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and...
- experimental autogyro from 1998 to 2005 (no longer in flying condition). - CarterGyro Demonstrator/Trainer (CGD/T), registation N899CC - a modified Butterfly Monarch autogyro built by CarterCopter pilot Larry Neal and used by the company to test technology developments.
- Carter Personal Air Vehicle - is a 4-seat autogyroAutogyroAn autogyro , also known as gyroplane, gyrocopter, or rotaplane, is a type of rotorcraft which uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust...
under development to be sold in kit form. It will share key features with the original CarterCopterCarterCopterThe CarterCopter is an experimental compound autogyro developed by Carter Aviation Technologies to demonstrate slowed rotor technology. On 17 June 2005, the CarterCopter became the first rotorcraft to achieve mu-1 , an equal ratio of airspeed to rotor tip speed, but crashed on the next flight and...
. - The first product in the AAIAAI CorporationAAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. It is formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007 and currently is an operating unit of Textron Systems Corporation...
agreement is an autonomousUnmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
slowed rotor/compound (SR/C) aircraft to be based on the Carter Personal Air Vehicle.